Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Today, the blogmaster picks his top five favorite Champagne Music Maker covers of Billboard's Top 40 pop songs.

And as Casey Kasem would say....on with the countdown.

At Number 5: Ralna English's 1969 cover of "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" which went to #3 by Glen Campbell in 1967

No. 4 is Tanya Falan's version of "I Say A Little Prayer" which went to #2 for Dionne Warwick in 1967 and a year later, charted at #10 for Aretha Franklin

At Number 3....Sandi Griffiths' version of "And I Love You So" which peaked at #29 for Perry Como in 1973

Number two on the countdown is the Welk Orchestra's instrumental version of "Georgy Girl" a #2 pop hit for the Seekers which also garnered an Oscar nomination.

And the best Welk cover of a Top 40 pop song? No debate here that Number One is Gail Farrell and Dick Dale with their version of "One Toke Over The Line" which peaked at #10 for Brewer & Shipley in 1971.

Just remember to keep a song in your heart, keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars....or in this case bubbles.

Monday, July 20, 2009

The 2009-2010 season of the Lawrence Welk Show on PBS is hot off the Oklahoma Network's presses!

It all starts September 5th, so far it runs through February 27th so there's more to come later in '10.

First, here's the 13 confirmed repeats from previous shows....

1. Big City USA - airs 9-26-09

2. Season Premiere '76 - airs 10-3-09

3. Farm Show - airs 10-17-09

4. Songs of Perry Como - airs 10-24-09

5. Thanksgiving Special - airs 11-21-09

6. Musical Memories - airs 11-28-09

7. French Show - airs 12-5-09

8. Winter - airs 12-12-09

9. Christmas '72 - airs 12-19-09

10. Tribute to Bing Crosby - airs 12-26-09

11. All Time Favorites - airs 1-23-10

12. Tribute to the Big Bands - airs 1-30-10

13. Fashions & Hits Through the Years - airs 2-20-10

And now what we are waiting for, the brand spanking new episodes!

1. Salute to the USA - airs 9-5-09

2. Salute to the Swing Bands - airs 9-12-09

3. Do You Remember? - airs 9-19-09

4. Highways and Byways - airs 10-10-09

5. Halloween Party - airs 10-31-09

6. Songs of the 70s - airs 11-7-09

7. Movie Songwriters - airs 11-14-09

8. Tribute to Disney - airs 1-2-10

9. County Fair - airs 1-9-10

10. Keep a Song In Your Heart - airs 1-16-10

11. Youman's Salute - airs 2-6-10

12. Love Songs - airs 2-13-10

13. Rhythm is Our Business - airs 2-27-10

From what I know, I think the interview segment is intact...don't know yet whom will be in the hot seat. But I do like the schedule setup, especially in the event of any possible pledge drives around Christmas.

From Hollywood, The Lawrence Welk Network presents....

ORIGINAL ARTWORK BY JB FUNKY HIMSELF

About Me

The blogmeister is also the webmaster behind the very successful Welk Musical Family.com. I have been a fan of Lawrence Welk since I was a youngster (not too long ago!) and have watched (and taped) his show every Saturday night on my local PBS station, WGTE and sometimes WBGU. My hometown and current residence is Toledo, Ohio and in recent years, I have attended many of their live concerts and had the chance to meet many of the wunnerful music makers as well.